Another acquisition from Google with the purchase of Israel-based MentorWave Technologies, the company behind video tour software provider Quiksee.
Reports in the Israeli press suggest the deal is worth around $10 million and gives Google access to a technology platform that essentially puts video footage on Google Maps.
Using the Quiksee software and a handheld camera, for example, users can create 3D panoramic views of a location and upload them for embedding on maps.
As Techcrunch points out, Google ran in a storm of protests when it started driving around various corners of the earth to shoot footage for its Google Streetview project, so the prospect of Johnny Public doing the same thing could trigger a similar outcry from privacy groups.
Although not directly related to travel (and clearly not in the same league as the proposed ITA Software acqusition), Google appears to be thinking plenty about how it can improve mapping and destinations-based functionality.
Curiously, Google has once again preferred to stay quiet about the deal, similar to when it bought travel content and tour metasearch site Ruba in May 2010.
Leaving the deal to be confirmed by Quiksee, a short statement on the site says:
"We've learned a lot from our previous work at Quiksee, and we look forward to bringing our experience, creativity and insight to Google. Both Google and Quiksee share the same innovative vision, and while we can't share any future product plans, we look forward to the opportunity to contribute and do great things together in the future.
"We'll be joining the Google Geo team and hope to have news for you soon. Stay tuned!"
And if the Ruba deal is anything to go by, this will be the last we hear from the folk at Quiksee for quite a while.
Here is how Quiksee works:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC2J5q-dZUw